YANKEE BEAUFIGHTER

In the Mediterranean, the USAAF's 414th, 415th, 416th and 417th Night Fighter Squadrons received 100 Beaufighters in the summer of 1943, achieving their first victory in July 1943. Through the summer the squadrons conducted both daytime convoy escort and ground-attack operations, but primarily flew defensive interception missions at night. Although the Northrop P-61 Black Widow fighter began to arrive in December 1944, USAAF Beaufighters continued to fly night operations in Italy and France until late in the war.

FRIDAY, 16 JULY 1943

The air echelon of the 414th Night Fighter Squadron, 2d Air Defense Wing, which has been training in England with Beaufighters, joins the ground echelon at Rerhaia, Algeria. The squadron will enter combat on 24 July.

FRIDAY, 23 JULY 1943

A detachment of the 414th Night Fighter Squadron, 2d Air Defense Wing, based at Rerhaia, Algeria begins operating from Protville, Tunisia with Beaufighters. The squadron will fly its first combat mission tomorrow. 

A detachment of the 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 1st Air Defense Wing, based at Monastir, Tunisia begins operating from Protville, Tunisia with Beaufighters.

THURSDAY, 29 JULY 1943

The detachment of the 414th Night Fighter Squadron, 2d Air Defense Wing, operating from Protville, Tunisia with Beaufighters returns to its base at Rerhaia, Algeria. 

The 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 1st Air Defense Wing, transfers from Monastir, Tunisia to La Sebala, Tunisia with Beaufighters. The detachment at Protville, Tunisia also transfers.

MONDAY, 21 MAY 1945

417th Night Fighter Squadron, XII Tactical Air Command, from Giebelstadt to Biblis, Germany with Beaufighters.